JOHN RENNIE, D.Sc. 



below freezing point, and the water clear, it could be roughly examined before removal. 

 The organism appeared to be an inert and delicate structure, about a quarter of an 

 inch in diameter, which appeared to be uniform throughout its entire length, rounded 

 at both ends, translucent and light brown in colour for the most part, though in 

 places almost colourless. This specimen was secured, but in fragments, preserved in 

 picric acid, and transferred to alcohol. Unfortunately the bottle in which it was 

 kept was one of the only two which failed, and some months later was found to be 



EXPLANATION OP FIGUEES. 



1. Piece of Tentacle. (Natural size.) 



2. , enlarged, showing Stinging Areas, x 18. 



3. Transverse section : (a) Ectodermal Canal ; (b) Eiidodermal Canal, x 40. 



4. Stinging Areas, showing Cnidoblasts. x 280. 



5. (a) Cnidoblast, with coiled lasso. 



(It) , with lasso shot out. x 500. 



practically dry ; the specimen was then replaced in alcohol and kept under observation. 

 No other specimen was taken, but from the date of its first capture on Lieut. Barne's 

 sounding-line to the close of our stay in McMurdo Bay it occurred on the 

 lines of the nets and traps frequently, probably not less than fifty times. It was 

 usually much attenuated by being drawn somewhat rapidly through the water, and 

 shredded on the iron bar over which the line ran. This last piece of apparatus was an 

 essential, as the line has to be laid straight out on the ice. A wet line at those 

 temperatures can neither be coiled nor wound on a winch. The organism usually 



